Need replacement for Second Copy

[mstratil]

I have been using Second Copy to perform file-based backup for years. But under Win 7, I have repeatedly encountered problems even though I'm running the latest version of SC.

So I've decided to try to find a new product to do file based backup. I want a reliable program that

works under Win 7 and simply copies files via their original file name with no encryption or

compression based on a schedule that I have set up.

Can anyone recommend some suitable products?

Mike

[bludgard]

Hi, Mike. Welcome to Windows Forum. :)

Try Windows SyncToy 2.1.

I am sure others will be along shortly to offer other alternatives.

[mstratil]

Bludgard,

Thanks for this info. I have one critical question: Can SyncToy be set up to work

in only one dircetion? Thus, I want to copy from A to B but not from B to A.

Mike

[mstratil]

I've done some testing and see that SyncToy can be run unidirectionally (echo). But

I can't see how to schedule it. Is there a way to do this?

If not, I will need to continue my search.

Mike

[bludgard]

I want a reliable program that works...on a schedule that I have set up.

Bugger: Missed that part. :0

As of the time of this post, SyncToy can only be scheduled through Task Sheduler.

You may create a windows Task Schedule to running Synctoy CMD every 5 minutes(pls using Triggers can accurate to the minute), detailed as below:

Schedule SyncToy

While you do not have to schedule SyncToy to use it, some users may find it helpful to schedule recurrent SyncToy runs. Perhaps you have a folder pair that takes a long time to sync and you want to run SyncToy in the middle of the night, for example.

SyncToy does not provide a user interface to schedule folder pairs to run at designated times. However, there is a method to schedule tasks using the Microsoft^© Windows^© operating system.

Windows Vista/ Win7

To schedule a task using the operating system:

1. From the Start menu, select All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Task Scheduler.
   
2. Select Create Basic Task in the Actions pane on the right.
   
3. Add a Name and Description and select Next.
   
4. Choose when you want the task to start and select Next.
   
5. Choose date/times (if applicable) to run task and select Next.
   
6. Choose Start a Program option and select Next.
   
7. Select Browse and locate the SyncToyCmd.exe.
   
8. Type "-R" in the Add Arguments textbox. –R all by itself will run all folder pairs that are active for run all. If you want to run just a single folder pair, add –R “My Pair” to the end of the command line.
   Note: If the folder pair name contains a space, surround it with quotation marks, as the example above shows. For another example, assume that SyncToy is in the folder named C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1\ and that you want to run a folder pair named "My folder pair." Enter the command line as follows, including the quotation marks: "C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1\SyncToyCmd.exe" -R "My folder pair." Note that there are two sets of quotation marks in this case: one is around the path to the SyncToy program file and the other surrounds the folder pair name.
   

Windows XP

To schedule a task using the operating system:

1. From the Start menu, select All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Scheduled Tasks.
   
2. Select Add scheduled task to start the Scheduled Task Wizard. You will see a list of possible programs to run.
   
3. Select Browse and locate the SyncToyCmd.exe.
   
4. The wizard will next prompt you to enter how often you want to run the scheduled SyncToy (for example, daily, weekly, et cetera). Select a frequency.
   
5. The next page asks when to start the task. Select a start time.
   
6. The next page asks for the user name and password to run the program under. Enter your user name and password.
   
7. The final page contains an option to open the properties dialog when the wizard ends. Select this checkbox.
   
8. Modify the Run textbox to include the –R command line option. –R all by itself will run all folder pairs that are active for run all. If you want to run just a single folder pair, add –R “My Pair” to the end of the command line.
   Note: If the folder pair name contains a space, surround it with quotation marks, as the example above shows. For another example, assume that SyncToy is in the folder named C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1 and that you want to run a folder pair named "My folder pair." Enter the command line as follows, including the quotation marks: "C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1\SyncToyCmd.exe" -R "My folder pair." Note that there are two sets of quotation marks in this case: one is around the path to the SyncToy program file and the other surrounds the folder pair name.
   

Note: With this version of SyncToy, it is now possible to schedule execution of a folder pair in the following scenarios:

1. No one is currently logged into the machine.
   
2. A different user is logged into the machine.
   

[mstratil]

Bludgard,

Thanks a lot for the info on scheduling SyncToy.

A few hours ago I found SmartBackup. This seems to be exactly what I want. Has

anyone had any experience with this program?

Mike

[-pops-]

What are the problems you are having with Second Copy?

I'm running it on four W7 machines with no apparent difficulty.

[mstratil]

On my machine, it runs sometimes and then stops. I assume it is still running and think I have

a backup, but in reality I don't. Also, I have trouble getting into the main menu--often it's not

accessible. I've just had too many problems like this, and now I want to try something else.